Trip to Normandy

[tinatrim]

This year, Forry and i had decided not to have a holiday, just mess around at weekends instead until my elder brother phoned asking us to join him in a cottage in Normandy. I haven't seen him for a few years so it was agreed. I'd been promising to take my boys to France for awhile now so this seemed the perfect place to take them too. The question was, do you take kids on your bikes??? Took me sometime to work this one out but decided that yes was the answer.
We geared up and set off, heading for Hayling Island where my younger brother put us up for the night before catching the ferry from Portsmouth to LeHarve the next day.

We travelled 1hr at a time to allow the boys a brake from the bikes, avoiding the motorways so it wasnt so boring for them, plus they had only been on the back once prior to this trip. Forry had made a rear seat to fit his bike and we bought two dorky top boxes with back rests to stop them toppling out of the back door!!! This was especially needed for Joey, my youngest as he tended to fly like a kite over 76mph!!!!
Stopped at Bridgenorth for their famous fry ups known to many bikers. The boys were enjoying themselves so much i had to restrain them at Stow On The Wold to keep alittle order in the group

Once order restored, we headed on stopping at some old friends of mine in Winchester then on to Hayling Island for a good nights kip ready for the ferry the following day.
Up bright and early to a breakfast made by my sister in law- thanks- then time to catch the ferry at 10:15, arriving minutes before my brother and girlfiend Tony and Karen. As we waited in the sunshine, Tony very proudly shows everyone- including all those at the ferry dock- how loud his stereo can play plus the numerous amounts of gadets the Goldwing has. This was made even more embarressing as Forry realised there was another UKGSer in the queue. Must admit it was good!!!

Once on board, we watched the Royal Navy ships pass as we headed out of Portsmouth. Im sure alot of you could name these beasts but i cant...sorry.

Can name this beast though

I was glad we had a cabin as i got seasick, having to lie down for most of the journey. Great to contain the kids in too. Once off ferry and in LeHarve, Tony took the lead but we ended up in a place familiar to me when i first went solo to Geneve, passing the same run down petrol station Finally got back on track to the road heading to Port Normande, a bridge i'd been dying to take the kids on plus its the gateway to France for me. We headed for Courson where the cottage is near St-Sever-Calvados, Vire. Stopped for some dinner, King Kebab, Tony and Forry's food, but time was getting on now so hit the motorways to kill the miles. The rest of the journey, i must admit, was pushing it for the kids as it took along time plus it got dark. I had to keep poking my passenger to keep him awake.
Once at the cottage, we walked into beautiful accomodation with a welcoming fruit bowl and bottle of wine

In the morning, I set Forry on his duties

Whilst Joey set up the playstation

Aired the beds

and Forry's ever watchful bike stood guard

 

[tinatrim]

The rest of the day was spent getting to know the village, where to shop and wait for Tony to wake up as hes on sick leave, (airline pilot) who is taking medication and timing them to be a night owl for his third love in life....his rock band on the isle of wight. 2pm he appears. We bimble into St Sever Calvados where Tony treated us to some stunning cream cakes and wonder round this old walled town.

We walked passed the old towers

I then heard "Mum, help" as i turned round, i noticed my son doing monkey stunts. I told him to get down.....

but he replied "I cant, i'm stuck!!!!"........

After clipping young Forry's ear, we found the town church

which had in detail, all the plans of a rebuild since it was blown to pieces during the second world war. All being done by hand showing the crafts men at work plus the individual stone layout about how each piece was laid..... fascinating..... and we think we can build better in modern times

Back to the cottage and BBQ, alochol and watch the sun go down.

 

[tinatrim]

3rd day. Forry and I decided not to wait for the lie-in pilot anymore and headed off to Foret Domoniale De St Sever (national park) which turned out to be quite boring.
Lac du Gast

L'Ermitage, the silent chapel......hard for my little darlings to understand the SILENT bit

But a collection of trees did put some life in us which only lasted 1/2hr so we headed home to jump on the sleeping Uncle.....Gibson style

My poor little passenger said he didnt feel to well and for reasons i wont go into, as there isnt a toilet on my bike!, Joey and i was left at the cottage while all the others went to visit Granville. Forry couldn't resist a farewell wheelie as he departed with Tolly (my eldest) on the back.... second clip round the ear for Forry. They had a great time, eating ice cream and buying sea food at the market.

What a menu

Supper, my favourite...prawns

 

[tinatrim]

4th day, off to Le Mont St Micheal. A must if you can bare the tourists but interested in this sort of place. It has been there since the 10th century, being used for monestry, prisons, refuge, war etc.

 

[tinatrim]

looks a good trip

bet the kids were impressed.

I know this report wont appeal to all but Normandy is just a stones throw from our doorsteps and thought some might enjoy whats over there, plus it was a realitively cheap and enjoyable trip which the whole family enjoyed

 

[hondated]

Brilliant...

report. Myself and mates visited Normandy for several days back in June and we also visited Le Mon St Michael.Well worth a visit. Its also great to see your lads enjoying it and I only hope that it will be easier than it is today for them to get a motorcycle licence when they are old enough.
I have 3 grandsons aged 11, 7 & 6 and the only one to show any interest in the bike is the youngest so I have a lot to do to ensure he and hopefully the other 2 become bikers in the future.

 

[Pumpy]

Great report, Tina, and very funny!

Obvious that your three kids were enjoying themselves...

 

[Bem]

Well done, really gets the flavour of the adventure for all to see.

 

[Big Nick]

Bet the kids loved it, I wish I'd been on a motorcycle adventure like that when I was their age!!

 

[rocks]

Lovely..

Normandy is lovely.. been through once and made a special trip over this year for the 65th anniversary.. Lovely people, lovely towns and villages.

Looks like you and kids had a great time and great weather.

 

[wessie]

Well done for taking the kids.

Too many people get a bit precious about taking kids on the back of the bike.

 

[Hairnet600]

video of the big f getting a clip round the ear please

how do they fall asleep on the back

mont st micheal lmfao ah begorrah

been 3 times now and still not been to st michael

going in july hopefully

top pics btw

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

thank god for his ears or it would have all went to shit i tell thee

 

[Stevie73]

Looks nice Tina. You really need to teach Forry how to use the camera so he can take some pics of you and the kids...

 

[MikeP]

Great write-up. Some really nice photos. A fantastic way to get the next generation into travel.

I hope there's more to come?

Thanks for taking the trouble to post (so much better than "I went to XXXX", and a link to an album).

 

[Deleted account rno]

I really enjoyed that. Nice photos too...

 

[tinatrim]

Afraid there is a little more to come..... one reason for the trip was to pay our respects to thoses who lost there lives on D-Day. But sun is out this morning and im off to cover some miles on my horse.
Must admit, wasnt sure whether to make this ride report as its not the usual ride holiday. Glad you are reading it

Horsey.....

 

[tinatrim]

Finishing off Le Mont St Michael, we payed out to go see the prisons which was quite boring apart from one tiny hut

Inside, the guy shut the doors and showed us this was a telescope which viewed all around the mount, i was quite taken by this, so simple yet extremely effective

This is what happens if you misbehave!

Apparently, the mount is surrounded by quick sand

I love stain glass windows and could bore you senseless but i wont, just one!

Love a well made roof too...

The gang on way home

Just one bounce on this first..... no adults apparently

Next day was paying respect day so headed off for Omaha Beach, St Laurent-s-mur after a great brekky

When we arrived, first thoughts were how stunningly beautiful it was, second thoughts were 'last one to the sea is a ninny' but something happened as we got nearer the sea. It was the realisation that so many men lost there lives here that to act in this manner was wrong. We slowed our pace and went back to the bikes. At Omaha Beach, it was the americans that fought here, climbing the steep cliffs whist being shot at from above, but they made it and claimed the beach.

This is a floating port which was towed all the way from Britain along with many others. The holes in its side are what sank it.....bomb holes

At the museum, My bike decided to stop a tank (or is it a BUS?).....great work girl

Forry's decided to join it

The museum wasnt to my liking, not that i'm disrespectful, its more that i cant get a grip of the scale of lives lost and surely there was another way. I had to get out as had enough. The thing about these places is that you never know how your going to react..... for me its all too much. For kids its educational and any chance to play on the guns is just damn right fun!

 

[chad]

cracking place Normandie very humbling to visit,i find myself just wanting to go back again and again

nice report

 

[tinatrim]

The last day, we all agreed a laugh was in order so go carting was our choice.

Forry and Tony instantly weighed each other up and the challenge set. No cheating

Tony

Tolly

Karen

Forry

Joey

It was excellent fun. Forry beat Tony (but only becaused he confessed later that he went across the grass..... another clip round the ear!!!) Karen next, Tolly fourth, Joey then me last. I did have to keep rescueing Joey after he spun a few times and Forry kept knocking me off the track (another clip of the ear for the young lad!) but quite honestly.....i got my butt whipped

It was then time to pay our respects to some of the Brits who fought for us. Another sobering afternoon. Some of the lads were only 16 yrs old. Some graves were not even named, which i can not understand. How can men fight for us and we not know who they are..... On saying this, the french show thier respects by keeping the grave yards immaculate.

Young Forry cant contain himself after is victory.....another clip round the ear!

Journey home. Forry and I set off ahead of the sleeping Uncle and visited Pegasus Bridge, another British conquer site. As you ride over the canel, you think its 'the' bridge but they moved that to the museum

This is a life sized copy of the gliders used by us to attack from the air. Once landed, they break apart and cant be used again!

An original one is in here

More toys for the boys

It was then a mad rush to Honfluer, a favourite place of mine but time was short and we were late for the ferry....oooops. Got on and met up with Tony and Karen who presented us with the luxury bar pass....nice one bruv. Once off the ferry at portsmouth, they wouldn't let me through passport with the kiddies, we have different surnames and i didnt take proof. After a sweaty 15 mins, the bobby came over and said alls cleared but next time bring birth certificates!!!!!!
Headed for little bruvs house for the night before making the long journey home the following day.

We hit the motorways to get back home at reasonable hour, stopped at Warwick services and met up with TonyC who visits this site, riding to Telford with us..... nice one Tony

Great break with the family. Would i put the kids on the bike again?.... Not once did we force them, they were positive all the time, they were geared up as much as possible...( thanks Sarah Teach for being so small and generous ), and our routes were designed around them (realising traveling times are at least doubled)...... SURE I WOULD.